How to Solve Every Merlin Trial, Unlock Inventory Upgrades, and Master Open-World Exploration

Merlin Trials are one of the most rewarding and expansive open-world activities in Hogwarts Legacy, serving as a crucial progression system for gear inventory expansion and puzzle mastery. Across the Highlands, players encounter nearly 100 of these environmental challenges—each designed to test observational skills, spell combinations, and problem-solving techniques.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every Merlin Trial type, advanced strategies, spell requirements, hidden mechanics, and a region-by-region overview. Whether you’re a beginner exploring your first puzzle or a completionist aiming for 100% progression, this authoritative guide explains everything you need to know.

Understanding Merlin Trials in Hogwarts Legacy

Merlin Trials are environmental puzzles created by the legendary wizard Merlin as a way for modern witches and wizards to demonstrate magical proficiency. Each trial requires a Mallowsweet Leaf to activate, after which players must solve one of twelve puzzle variations.

Key Characteristics

• Nearly 100 Merlin Trials across the map

• Each solved trial contributes to Gear Inventory Expansion

• Requires Mallowsweet to activate (grown or purchased)

• Trials are tied to open-world exploration, not the main quest

• Puzzles vary in difficulty but rely on basic and advanced spell usage

Merlin’s Trials are designed to teach players subtle world interactions and spell applications. By mastering them early, exploration becomes more efficient and rewarding.

Why Merlin Trials Matter: Rewards, Inventory Upgrades & Progression

Solving Merlin Trials increases the number of gear slots available to the player—an essential advantage as loot becomes more abundant.

Merlin Trial Reward Progression

Completing trials contributes to a category of challenges under the open-world tab.

Inventory management is one of the greatest challenges for new players, and Merlin Trials provide the only path to permanent expansion.

Mallowsweet: How to Get It and Why It Matters

Mallowsweet is required to activate each trial. Players often run out early in the game due to not understanding its importance.

Sources of Mallowsweet

• Purchase seeds at The Magic Neep in Hogsmeade

• Grow it in the Room of Requirement using small pots

• Occasionally found in the wild (rare)

Once you grow your own supply, you will never run out, making exploration seamless.

All Merlin Trial Types in Hogwarts Legacy (Full Breakdown)

Below is a complete list of Merlin Trial puzzle categories, how to solve them, best spells to use, and common mistakes.

This is the most detailed and authoritative breakdown available online.

1. Stone Pillars Trial

Objective: Destroy a set of standing stone pillars.

Best Spells: Confringo, Incendio, Bombarda

Strategy:
Look for between 3–7 stone pillars positioned around the activation point. Use ranged destruction spells (Confringo is ideal) to break each pillar. They often blend into the environment, so use Revelio to highlight them.

Common Mistake:
Standing too close and using Incendio, the spell may not reach far pillars.

2. Firefly Orb Trial

Objective: Guide glowing clusters of fireflies into corresponding stone containers.

Best Spell: Lumos

Strategy:
Activate Lumos and walk toward a firefly group. They will automatically follow the light to the correct stone structure. Repeat for each container.

Common Mistake:
Using Revelio to “collect” fireflies. Fireflies are movement-based, not interaction-based.

3. Moth Statue Puzzle

Objective: Bring glowing moths to the stone pillars with cavities.

Best Spell: Lumos

Strategy:
Approach groups of moths with Lumos lit. They will swarm around your wand. Lead them to the nearest stone pillar cavity until all pillars are filled.

4. Symbol Matching Trial

Objective: Rotate stone cubes to match glyph patterns.

Best Spell: Depulso

Strategy:
Strike stone cubes repeatedly with Depulso to rotate the faces. Rotate each pillar until the symbols match the surrounding environmental glyphs.

5. Ball Rolling Trial

Objective: Roll giant stone balls into nearby depressions.

Best Spells: Accio, Wingardium Leviosa, Depulso

Strategy:
Use Accio for pulling, Depulso for pushing, and Wingardium for manual rotation. Some balls require clearing obstacles before movement.

Common Mistake:
Trying to levitate the ball directly; some are too heavy and need momentum via Depulso.

6. Boulder Shattering Trial

Objective: Destroy large stone spheres resting atop pedestals.

Best Spell: Bombarda or Confringo

Strategy:
Simply strike each boulder with a destruction spell. Some trials require breaking boulders from a distance or higher angle.

7. Parkour Platform Trial

Objective: Jump across platforms without touching the ground.

Best Strategy:
Plan movement before starting. Jump using short hops. Do not use spells. If you fall, restart by touching the activation point.

Common Mistake:
Trying to sprint jump. Standard jumps provide better control.

8. Floating Platform Trial

Objective: Use Wingardium Leviosa to create bridges or reach target platforms.

Best Spell: Wingardium Leviosa

Strategy:
Lift blocks and reposition them as stepping stones. The puzzle requires observing how platforms align.

9. Light Stone Pattern Trial

Objective: Ignite or extinguish specific torch stones in a set order.

Best Spell: Confringo (long-range fire)

Strategy:
Some require lighting all torches; others require lighting only specific ones based on symbols.

10. Stone Parkour Rings Trial

Objective: Jump across stone rings arranged in the air.

Strategy:
Time your jumps carefully; some rings crumble if you hesitate too long.

11. Moonstone Weight Trial

Objective: Step on correct pressure plates in proper order.

Strategy:
Trial-and-error or environmental glyph clues determine the correct sequence.

12. Pendulum Swing Trial

Objective: Use Levioso or Depulso to manipulate swinging structures.

Best Spells: Levioso, Depulso

Strategy:
Manipulate the pendulum so it strikes targets or aligns with slots.

Advanced Merlin Trial Strategies

Use Revelio Constantly

Every puzzle type benefits from Revelio, highlighting:

• Breakable objects

• Firefly clusters

• Stone pedestals

• Boulder positions

Equip Talent Enhancements

Certain Talents improve spell damage or range, making trials faster.

Solve Trials Region by Region

Avoid solving trials randomly. Clear each region methodically to maximize challenge progression.

Do Trials Before Endgame

Inventory expansion becomes critical during loot-heavy late game missions.

All Merlin Trial Locations (Regional Overview)

Below is a summarized location guide. Full coordinates not included here, but recommended for a secondary post to target “Merlin Trial locations map” keyword.

Highlands Region

The largest concentration of trials.

North Ford Bog

Swamp-themed trials requiring careful navigation.

Hogsmeade Valley

Easy, beginner-friendly cluster.

South Hogwarts Region

Often encountered early in the game.

Hogwarts Valley

High puzzle density and mixed difficulty.

Feldcroft Region

Medium to hard trials requiring spell versatility.

Poidsear Coast & Clagmar Coast

Late-game difficulty, often guarded by enemies.

Common Mistakes Players Make

• Not bringing enough Mallowsweet

• Ignoring spell combos (Wingardium + Depulso)

• Missing hidden firefly groups

• Trying to brute-force puzzles

• Solving trials too early without proper spells

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many Merlin Trials are in Hogwarts Legacy?

There are 95 Merlin Trials across the open world.

Do you need to complete all Merlin Trials?

No, but you should complete enough to unlock all gear inventory slots.

Do Merlin Trials respawn?

No. Once completed, they are permanently marked as solved.

Are Merlin Trials required for the main story?

No, they are optional but highly beneficial.

What spells do I need for Merlin Trials?

Primary spells include:
Confringo, Incendio, Lumos, Depulso, Wingardium Leviosa, Levioso, Bombarda.

Do enemies interrupt Merlin Trials?

Yes. If attacked, you may need to eliminate enemies before solving.